ASDSO was formed in 1983. The first conference, held in 1984 in Denver, attracted nearly 300 attendees and saw the ASDSO constitution and by-laws adopted by 34 states.

ASDSO's origins date from November 1977, when 39 people were killed by the Kelly Barnes dam failure in Toccoa Falls, Georgia. President Jimmy Carter immediately issued an executive order directing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to inspect dams nationwide. This 3-year "Phase I" program revealed deficiencies in the great majority of non-federal dams.

On the heels of the Phase I inspections, two investigations - by the National Academy of Engineering and FEMA - revealed the inadequacy of state dam safety laws and programs. Their reports recommended an interstate forum on dam safety.

ASDSO began with organizational meetings in 1983 in Orlando, Florida and Lexington, Kentucky. By February 1985, 37 states and Puerto Rico had officially joined the association. ASDSO's membership stood at 165: 90 associate (government employees) and 75 affiliates.

Today, ASDSO has more than 3,000 members representing state, federal and local governments; academia; dam owners; manufacturers and suppliers; consultants and others.